May 24, 2002

Conference Release (PDF)

(Los Angeles) - USF baseball capped a strong finish to the 2002 campaign when four members of the Diamond Dons were named to the 2002 All-West Coast Conference team as announced by the league office Friday, May 24. Senior catcher Steve Booth, a 2002 Johnny Bench Award semifinalist, was named to the first team, along with sophomore outfielder Joe Jacobitz, who broke USF's single-season hits record (85) in his first year of baseball on the Hilltop. Booth ranked in the top-10 among Division I leaders homerun leaders and ranked third on the Dons single-season homerun (19) and RBI (65) charts and enjoyed one of the finest offensive seasons in program history. Jacobitz ranked second in the league in hits (85) and led the WCC in on-base percentage (.521) and walks (27) during conference games.

USF's two first team selections are the most awarded to the Dons since infielder Jermaine Clark and designated hitter Peter Quittner earned top squad honors in 1996. It is the first all-league honor for Booth and he becomes just the second catcher in program history to earn first team All-WCC honors. With the selection, Jacobitz capped a remarkable first season with the Dons after turning in a Freshman All-American campaign at UNLV in 2001.

A pair of freshmen also made a big splash on the all-conference lists as utility player Royce Fukuroku earned second team honors after hitting .316 with nine doubles, a pair of triples, four homeruns, 33 RBI and 28 runs in his first season of collegiate baseball. Fukuroku, who played all three outfield positions in addition to third base, shortstop and second base, tied a USF single-game record with six base hits against Loyoloa Marymount on a 6-for-7, 7 RBI day. Fellow Hawaiian Cy Donald earned honorable mention selection after a successful first season at USF. Donald hit .352 in WCC games with fur doubles, triple and six RBI in the leadoff spot and ranked fourth on the team in hits and was fifth in runs.